…Space Agency DG expresses appreciation to EU for offering 2.7million EUROS for research in Nigeria’s space sector
By Victoria Onyisi
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, on Thursday assured that investment in scientific research and development is vital for economic growth of Nigeria.
Nnaji, acknowledged that Nigeria through President bBola Tinubu, is committed to creating conducive environment for both local and foreign investors in the sector, stressing that this will trigger and foster economic advancement of the nation even as the European Union (EU) Ambassador to West Africa and Nigeria, Ms. Samuela Isopi, has acknowledged that EU through its Horizon Europe has concluded arrangement to offer grants to Nigerian scientists and innovators for 27 different projects.
According to Nnaji, the Ministry is committed to focusing on building capacity, enhancing research infrastructure and fostering collaborations with European research institutions by leveraging on our strength in renewable energy, biotechnology and space research among others.
The Minister made this statement when the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and West Africa, Ms. Samuela Isopi paid him a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Abuja.
He further said that innovation and research are key to progress, and the Ministry is ready to foster joint centers in areas, such as renewable energy and climate smart agriculture by leveraging on the expertise and resources of our European partners.
The Minister also said that the aim of collaborating with the European partners is to drive technological advancement and shared regional challenges of the country.
To this end, Nnaji said that the upcoming EU Innovation Forum in July is a significant milestone in our collaborations, adding that the forum will provide a platform for Nigerian and European innovators, entrepreneurs, and policy makers to exchange ideas and explore synergies for the social economic advancement of the country.
Speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Esuabana Nko Asanye, appealed to the EU Ambassador, to assist the Ministry in training research and scientific officers of the Ministry so as to enhance their capacity and transform them into world class scientific officers.
Earlier, Isopi said that the purpose of her visit is to fine-tune its collaborative with Nigeria through the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology sector and to maintain cordial relationship which will boost research and development in the country.
The Ambassador, acknowledged that STI cuts across and EU and Nigeria can work together in several areas of research that will trigger socio-economic development in West Africa. According to her, STI is crucial to food security, climate change expressing happiness that the negotiation on the framework has started already.
Meanwhile, the Director General of the National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA), Dr. Mathew Adepoju, thanked the Ambassador for fast-tracking 2.7million Euros for the agency’s research on space infrastructure development.